Arrow Of God

About Arrow Of God by Chinua Achebe

Arrow Of God is a celebrated novel by the Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe, first published in 1964. If you are looking for a copy of Arrow Of God for your college course, for your own reading or for a gift to a lover of African literature, this listing is for you. Please message us on WhatsApp at 9906523492 for details of the copy in stock, including the publisher and the number of pages.

The novel is set in the 1920s in Igbo country in Nigeria, at the time when British rule was moving from direct control to the so called indirect rule. It takes place in a federation of six villages known as Umuaro, and it looks at what happens to a community when its old beliefs meet a new colonial order.

Themes in Arrow Of God

• Power and its limits, and the question of whether spiritual authority can stand without the support of the community
• Tradition and change, as Igbo customs meet missionary and colonial influence
• Identity, ambition and belonging
• The effects of colonial administration on ordinary life
• The role of storytelling, proverbs and ritual in a community

We will not give away the plot here, because the novel is best met fresh. It is enough to say that the story is about a proud religious leader, a community in transition and the choices that shape their future.

About the author, Chinua Achebe

Chinua Achebe is among the most respected novelists of Africa. Before this novel he wrote Things Fall Apart in 1958 and No Longer at Ease in 1960, and later he wrote A Man of the People in 1966. His books are studied in universities across the world for their clear prose, their use of Igbo proverbs and their honest treatment of colonial history from an African point of view.

Why students read Arrow Of God

For students of English and postcolonial literature the novel is a rewarding text. It offers material for essays on narrative voice, symbolism, the use of proverbs, the portrayal of leadership and the meeting of cultures. It is a useful companion to other books on the colonial experience, including works from South Asia and from Kashmir, where readers also think about identity and change.

Who should read this novel

• College and university students of English literature
• Readers interested in African and postcolonial writing
• Teachers who want a classic text for discussion
• Anyone who enjoys thoughtful novels with strong themes

How to get the most from your reading

Read a few chapters at a time and keep a note of the characters and the villages, since the world of the novel has many names. Pay attention to the proverbs and to the way people speak, because they carry much of the meaning. After finishing, write a short note on what the novel says about leadership and responsibility, and discuss it with a classmate or reading group. If you are studying it for a course, ask your teacher which edition is prescribed and message us so that we can check the copy.

Edition details

Author: Chinua Achebe. First published: 1964. Language: English. For the publisher, edition, format and page count of the copy in stock, please message us on WhatsApp at 9906523492. Same-day dispatch from Srinagar, with delivery in about 1 day in Srinagar and 3 to 10 days across the rest of India.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote Arrow Of God? Chinua Achebe.

When was it first published? In 1964.

Where is it set? In Igbo country in Nigeria during the 1920s.

Does the description contain spoilers? No, only themes and background are given.

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